Can someone explain the difference of Hoplias?

[alvincent11]

I ordered another Wolf Fish to replace the one that died recently. The fish I ordered was a Hoplias Micro, the one I owned that died was a Hoplias Mal. What exactly is the difference between the two of them? Color when adult? Temperament? Size?

All my Mal did was lurk around the bottom of the tank. Are the micros similar to this or no?

 

[channarox]

microlepis?
they are pretty much the same as malas i believe.
but i heard they only get around 12"?
some are known to be very aggressive.

 

[DarthRhom]

I'm seriously thinking of picking up a micro myself so I been doing a lil research.

Micros are more slender with a smaller head and smaller scales. Sometimes they don't show a lateral line but this is not always the case. There are no vertical bars in the lateral line on the micro. Thats one big difference from a mala. There's also some indication that their rear pectoral fins (not sure what they're called, the two on the sides near the anal fin) fan forward instead of backwards.

Size seems to be around 12" to 14", possibly 16".

My personal opinion on their temperment is that they are extremely aggressive. A few members on MFK have owned them and could probably give you some personal experience on temperment.

 

[channarox]

I'm seriously thinking of picking up a micro myself so I been doing a lil research.

Micros are more slender with a smaller head and smaller scales. Sometimes they don't show a lateral line but this is not always the case. There are no vertical bars in the lateral line on the micro. Thats one big difference from a mala. There's also some indication that their rear pectoral fins (not sure what they're called, the two on the sides near the anal fin) fan forward instead of backwards.

Size seems to be around 12" to 14", possibly 16".

My personal opinion on their temperment is that they are extremely aggressive. A few members on MFK have owned them and could probably give you some personal experience on temperment.

ah yes....i forgot about how the fins fan.